Why the Extraordinary Form

The Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite is the liturgy of the Catholic Church in use before the reforms of the Second Vatican Council. This includes the Mass, the Sacraments, various rites of blessing and more.

On July 7th 2007, His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI issued an apostolic letter called Summorum Pontificum. In this letter he declared that older form of the Roman rite was never abrogated, and that it “must be given due honor for its venerable and ancient usage.” (SP Art. 1)

His Holiness termed the traditional Latin Mass – the older form – the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite. This older form has been in use for many centuries. During this time it was at the heart of the Church and Western culture, nourishing countless generations.

Our Fraternity has chosen to place the Extraordinary Form, the traditional Roman Rite, at the heart of our charism because we believe that it distinctly expresses the sacrificial nature of the priesthood and provides a steady, unchanging and beautiful mode of prayer sanctified by time and usage.

Keep the Faith Talks

Fr. Goodwin’s Spiritual Commentary on the Mass

Watch Fr. Goodwin’s Spiritual Commentary on the Mass

Introduction to the Latin Mass

Fr. Calvin Goodwins’ introduction to our training DVD.

Battle for the Ancient Mass (Audio)

Fr. Calvin Goodwin, FSSP, discusses the history and struggles associated with the Traditional Latin Mass in this hour long talk.

Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos’ Introduction

In introducing the training video, Cardinal Dario Castrillon-Hoyos introduces priests to the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite and comments on the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI’s motu proprio “Summorum Pontificum.”